ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood Review

Cinched into place with three nylon buckled straps, the Redwood rolls up full-width, like an old bedroll you might see on the back of a pack horse. This distinct shape, combined with the bag's thick canvas exterior and over-stuffed design, resembles something an old cowboy might prop his head against while he lowers his hat and catches a snooze on the trail.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

Our first hands-on overnight experience with the Redwood was on a chilly 25-degree night. The Redwood's thick, warm, and weighty design kept us comfortable all night.

One of our controlled warmth tests involves using a laser thermometer to record interior warmth readings. As expected, the Redwood led the pack with some of the warmest readings among all the bags we tested (95.2 degrees). For a camping sleeping bag, this model is one of the warmest options we tested in this category. It beefs up its insulation by being thick and heavy. And, just like a heavy blanket, it covers the body's contours to keep us cozy and warm.

Not only is this bag warm, but the natural cotton flannel liner is also much more temperate than silky synthetic materials used on other bags. This allows for an even fabric temperature with virtually no cold spots. While most sleeping bags employ a single draft tube that runs the full length of the zipper, the Redwood comes with two, one on each side of the zipper. When combined, they trap warm air and reduce heat that can get lost through thousands of micro gaps in the zipper teeth.

Additionally, this bag uses a two-layer, off-set stitching pattern that keeps its unique denier-based Techloft Insulation firmly in place and reduces heat loss. From hunting pack trips to a weekend at your favorite lake or campsite, when temps drop, this bag has your back. The only potential drawback we feel this bag has is its incredible warmth. While most adventurists will love the added warmth, those who camp in warmer climates or heated RVs or trailers may find it too warm.

Comfort

There are several ways to define comfort, and the Redwood checks every box that exists. It's crammed to the hilt with Techloft Insulation, making it cushy enough to make a bed right on the ground if you had to. A super soft, cotton flannel interior boasts a traditional plaid print and is soft enough to fool you into thinking you are in your own bed.

One of our favorite features of the Redwood is the over-sized 38 x 80-inch rectangular design, which provides plenty of wiggle room without a lot of excess air space to heat. Finally, the cherry on top is this bag's heavy-duty cotton canvas exterior shell. Becoming rarer on today's market, this time-tested material adds a weighty component that gives this bag one of its greatest X-factors.

When you slip inside the Redwood, the heavy canvas softly collapses down on you. It naturally tucks you in as it presses against your body, folding around every individual curve. Some bags on the market use polyester-based canvas materials that simply aren't as soft, heavy, comforting, or conforming.

Features

The basic old-school design of the Redwood resulted in lower scores in our features category. We looked at several areas, from zipper function and warranty, to discover what each bag has to offer.

One of the drawbacks of the Redwood is its laundry requirements, which state hand-washing and line-drying or air-drying in a commercial dryer. Hand-washing a bag of this size will certainly be a task. Another drawback is its inherent lack of water resistance. Unlike synthetic materials, water-repellent spray treatments don't work as well on cotton.

Additionally, cotton tends to absorb and hold moisture. Although a rare occasion, if this bag were exposed to large amounts of water, it would act more like a sponge and would take a large amount of time to dry. On the positive side, the Redwood comes with a lifetime warranty, a hefty velcro zipper closure, a heavy-duty zipper, and a top drawstring to help keep warm air trapped during colder nights.

At the risk of being on repeat, this bag's most outstanding features are its lush cotton fabrics, over-stuffed design, exceptional craftsmanship, and off-set stitching. Many of these features are more felt than seen, but they greatly add to a very pleasant sleeping experience in the outdoors. A rugged canvas exterior and full-length zipper allow this bag to open up fully to become a perfect ground cover for a picnic in the park or outdoor concert.

Its natural earth-tone colors do a nice job of hiding grass stains or dirt. Additionally, zipping two Redwood bags together creates one of the warmest, coziest double bags on the market. Finally, the Redwood's full-width roll and stow design is legit. It's simple, easy, and effective.

Packed Size

There's no ignoring the elephant in the room: The Redwood doesn't pack up small. This beast rolls up full-width, ending in a tight 14-inch tall by 38-inch wide bundle. We think it's the largest packed size we have ever seen for a sleeping bag. However, it's light enough that moving it from car to camp is still a non-issue. Campers with extremely limited car space or home storage may want to pass on this bag.

This sleeping bag does not have a stuff sack. While that saves the common annoyance of trying to jam a huge sleeping bag into a small sack and is one less thing to lose, it also means that it isn't protected when being stored. An easy storing solution to keep dust (and maybe rodents) off your rolled bag is to wrap it in a large garbage bag when not in use.

Should You Buy the Alps OutdoorZ Redwood?

The Redwood has a higher price tag than several other options in our lineup, but we feel it's worth it for those seeking the best for car camping. This bag is the right one for you if you tend to camp in colder climates or higher elevations where the air is chilly at night. If you prefer camping in warmer or more humid areas, this bag's warmth just might ruin your star-gazing party. Likewise, this probably isn't the right fit if you have limited storage space at home or in your vehicle.

What Other Camping Sleeping Bags Should You Consider?

If you are drawn to the warmth of the Redwood but need a bag that is more water-resistant, we suggest looking at the Teton Sports Polara 3-in-1. It's a super warm, all-synthetic, multi-layer bag that hates water like a cat. If you like the traditional aesthetics of the Redwood but want a synthetic bag, try the Teton Sports Deer Hunter. Lastly, another option for warmth and size is the REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20. It's decently warm and has tons of features, including a hood.